Mixed reality optical system using micro phosphor and lens element array in a curved waveguide

Abstract

A sunglasses-style head worn display includes a curved waveguide with double reflective coatings/films and containing an array of light wavelength converting phosphor pinhole-size discs covered with pinhole-sized micro lenses, presenting a wide FOV virtual image for AR/VR.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly, comprising:
 a curved waveguide;   a first ultraviolet (UV)-light-reflecting coatings and/or films disposed on the curved waveguide;   a second UV light-reflecting coatings and/or films disposed on the curved waveguide;   at least one UV emitter configured to emit UV light in to the curved waveguide between the first and second UV light-reflecting coatings and/or films;   at least one conversion element in the curved waveguide and disposed to receive the UV light from the UV emitter, the conversion element being configured to convert the UV light in to visible light that propagates through one or both of the first and second UV light-reflecting coatings and/or films and that impinges on the eye of a wearer of the curved waveguide; and   at least one lens juxtaposed with the conversion element through which the visible light emitted by the conversion element is focused.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is configured as sunglasses and the curved waveguide is coupled to left and right temples to be disposed in front of a wearer's face when the assembly is worn by the wearer, and the curved waveguide is established by first and second parallel surfaces between which UV light propagates, the first and second parallel surfaces being parallel to each other and curved, the first and second UV light-reflecting coatings being respectively disposed on the first and second parallel surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , comprising at least one lens juxtaposed with the conversion element through which visible light emitted by the conversion element is focused, the lens being disposed between the conversion element and the UV emitter. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the UV light emitted from the UV emitter is pre-distorted prior to or during the process of in-coupling into the curved waveguide using a specifically designed passive optical element or via a dynamic optical solution. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second UV light-reflecting coatings and/or films pass visible light from outside the assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , comprising at least one lens juxtaposed with the conversion element through which visible light emitted by the conversion element is focused, the lens having an asymmetric design or being completely free form. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein curvature of an outer surface of the curved waveguide is different from curvature of an inner surface of the curved waveguide. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the conversion element is juxtaposed with an inner surface of the curved waveguide. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a UV light passageway is defined between the first and second UV light-reflecting coatings and/or films, and the assembly comprises at least one UV sensor positioned to receive UV light propagating through a surface of the UV light passageway and located outside the UV light passageway to generate at least one signal upon detection of UV light, the signal being operable to cause the UV emitter to stop emitting UV light into the UV light passageway. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the UV emitter comprises at least one UV display. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one curved waveguide configured to be worn on the head of a person and defining an infrared (IR) light passageway in which IR light is constrained from passing through;   at least one IR emitter optically coupled to the light passageway to emit demanded virtual reality (VR) and/or augmented reality (AR) images into the light passageway;   at least one conversion element in the light passageway to receive IR light from the IR emitter, the conversion element being configured to convert the IR light into visible light that propagates out of the light passageway to impinge on an eye of the person when the person is wearing the at least one curved waveguide; and   at least one lens juxtaposed with the conversion element through which the visible light emitted by the conversion element is focused.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the light passageway is defined between first and second IR light-reflecting coatings and/or films disposed on the at least one curved waveguide. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the IR light-reflecting coatings and/or films pass visible light. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is configured as sunglasses and the at least one curved waveguide is coupled to left and right temples to be disposed in front of a wearer's face when the apparatus is worn by the wearer. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , comprising plural conversion elements in the at least one curved waveguide. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein:
 a geometry of the at least one conversion element comprising phosphor display discs is configured to correct distortions in the visible light prior to impinging on the eye of the person wearing the at least one curved waveguide.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the conversion element is juxtaposed with an outer surface of the at least one curved waveguide. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the conversion element is juxtaposed with an inner surface of the at least one curved waveguide. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , comprising at least one IR sensor outside the IR light passageway to generate at least one signal upon detection of IR light, the signal being operable to cause the IR emitter to stop emitting IR light into the light passageway. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one curved waveguide configured to be worn on the head of a person and defining an ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) light passageway in which UV or IR light is constrained from passing through, the light passageway comprising at least one conversion element wherein at least one lens is juxtaposed with the conversion element through which visible light emitted by the conversion element is focused;   at least one UV or IR emitter optically coupled to the light passageway to emit demanded images into the light passageway; and   at least one UV or IR sensor outside the UV or IR light passageway to generate at least one signal upon detection of the UV or IR light, the signal being operable to cause the UV or IR emitter to stop emitting the UV or IR light into the light passageway.